Prince William and Kate will 'of course' buy Christmas presents for Archie and Lilibet, royal insider claims

Prince William and Kate Middleton are "of course" planning on buying Christmas gifts for Meghan and Harry's children Archie and Lilibet despite the royal rift, an insider has claimed.

Royal author Katie Nicholl, who wrote Harry and Meghan: Life, Loss and Love, revealed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will extend an olive branch to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by sending gifts to their nephew and niece in the US.

"Yes, of course [they will send presents]. They give gifts to the whole family and that includes all of their nieces and nephews," Nicholl told OK! magazine.

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The remarks come as a surprise amid speculation Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, reportedly refused to spend Christmas in the UK with the royal family.

According to royal insiders, the couple turned down an invitation to spend the holidays with the Queen and introduce baby Lilibet to the rest of the family due to the media storm it would trigger.

It's believed the Sussexes will instead spend the festive season in their home in Montecito, California.

"There's a lot that goes into the logistics and the planning of the family Christmas, so of course, staff know that Harry and Meghan are not coming," a royal insider told Page Six.

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"If they were, they would have communicated it to their family by now."

The source added: "But this is Her Majesty's first Christmas without her husband, so one would have hoped they would want to be with her."

Royal watchers have commented Meghan and Harry may face criticism for not returning to the UK after a tough year for the Queen, who is facing ailing health.

In a recent documentary titled 2021: The Queen's Horrible Year, producer Stewart Purvis said Her Majesty's strength during a turbulent 12 months is testament to the royal family's enduring significance.

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"In the last year, the Queen has lost her husband [and] she's got a grandson who is semi-detached," Purvis said

"But she has symbolised so much of what we hope for from a royal family that, in a sense, I think the respect for her is stronger than ever.

"I think the future of the Royal Family is more secure as a result of the way she's steered us through these difficult months."

Queen Elizabeth is expected to host Christmas at Sandringham this year after telling her family she is feeling "far better" following a sprained back.

Last year, Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh spent Christmas alone at Windsor Castle due to COVID-19 restrictions.